MSU Athletics

THE RUNDOWN
CLAREMORE, Okla. -- Midwestern State dodged a bullet when Seth Youngblood's apparent game winning shot didn't actually beat the buzzer Friday night at the Claremore Expo Center.
 
The Mustangs cashed in with a pair of clutch 3-pointers by Brandon Neel and Sheldon Hagigal in the overtime period to come away with an 83-80 win over 23rd-ranked Arkansas-Fort Smith.
 
It was the sixth consecutive season opening win for Midwestern State, which takes on host Rogers State (Okla.) in the conference challenge tournament Saturday at the Claremore Expo Center. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.
 
Neel's only triple of the night gave the Mustangs a 76-74 edge in overtime, but the Lions would claw back to take a one-point lead with 58 seconds to play
 
Hagigal, who finished with 18 points off of the bench, drained a triple on MSU's next possession allowing the Mustangs to surge ahead for a final time.
 
Midwestern rebounded from an off-shooting first half to fire in 57.1 percent of its shots in the second half to over an 8-point first half deficit.
 
The Mustangs never led by more than three points at any spot in the game allowing Arkansas-Fort Smith to get the last crack in regulation, but Youngblood's shot was ruled late after review sending the game to overtime.
 
MSU junior guard Devante Pullum connected on 6-of-13 shots including three triples to match Hagigal with game-high honors with 18 points and six assists.
 
Junior Igor Ibaka added 16 points and six rebounds highlighted by a big dunk with a minute left in regulation, while junior guard Brandon Neel added 13 points and three boards.
 
Youngblood paced UAFS with 16 points and nine rebounds on 5-of-14 shooting with nine rebounds as the Lions dropped to 2-2.
 
NOTES
* Midwestern State claimed its sixth straight season opening victory.
* The Mustangs have won five of the last six against nationally ranked opposition and six of the last eight.
* MSU is now 14-11 against teams ranked in the NABC Top 25 during the Nelson Haggerty era.
* The Mustangs have hit at least 10 3-pointers through two exhibition contests and a regular season game this season.
* Junior guard Devante Pullum notched his fifth collegiate double-figure game. He had four as a redshirt-freshman in 2014-15.
* Senior guard Sheldon Hagigal scored 10-or-more points for the 13th time at MSU while knocking four 3-pointers off of the bench.
* Junior forward Nick Powell grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
1-of-5 -- Midwestern State limited Arkansas-Fort Smith to one field goal in overtime.
 
NEXT UP
Midwestern State closes the Rogers State Classic by taking on the hosting Hillcats Saturday afternoon at the Claremore Expo Center.  Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.